Projects

The ContextWelcome to Houthalen-Helchteren, a former coal-mining municipality. Now the coal extracting days are over, the visionary communal council wants to extract as much carbon as possible out of their footprint. Their vision: building the most ecological municipal building in Belgium.

The ChallengeThe new municipal building should have the lowest possible E-value – without hindering the municipal services working there. And that’s the real catch. Not only the communal services, but also the OCMW and police services will be residing in this new building.

The Trajectory

Mapping. First we mapped the carbon impact of the community services as they were.

Coaching. Next to reducing the energy demand of the building, we proposed measures to change the employees’ commuter-behaviour through pro-bike measures.

Presentation. Through presentations and publications we transparently explained the vision, process and roadmap to citizens and other stakeholders.

Results and ResolutionsWe actively contributed to an exemplary passive building. A building that is a substantial part of a global roadmap towards a better and low-carbon municipality including better mobility, service to the citizens, lower pollution levels, … An image-boost for Houthalen-Helchteren.

Inspirations!And what have we learned for your benefit? How to work closely in team with architects and how to involve lots of stakeholders without making sacrifices towards the vision of our client.